Katie Fowden
Forest and Wood Products Association (FWPA) has announced the election of two new directors to its board, as well as the re-election of two sitting directors. Source: Timberbiz
At FWPA’s AGM on 31 October 2018, held at the Holmesglen Institute’s Chadstone campus, the election of two new non-executive directors, Katie Fowden and Craig Taylor was announced.
Ms Fowden is the strategic relations manager for Hyne Timber, where a significant part of her role is the promotion of the company’s brand, products and the industry more broadly.
Her skills and experience align closely with the aims and objectives of FWPA. She is also currently a non-executive director of Responsible Wood.
Mr Taylor has more than 30 years’ management and consulting experience in primary industries, sustainable resource management, supply chain management and sales and marketing, mostly in the plantation forestry sector.
He is director and principal of The Fifth Estate Consultancy and has provided strategic development and investment advice to Australia and New Zealand’s largest forest and wood products companies.
Mr Stephen Dadd was re-elected as a non-executive director.
Mr Dadd is the executive general manager of Boral’s timber division and a director of Allen Taylor & Co Ltd, with responsibility for Boral’s wood supply management, timber milling and product distribution businesses in hardwood, softwood and residues.
He is also on the board of Highland Pine Products and a councillor of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW. Mr Dadd has a degree in chemical engineering and an MBA from the London Business School.
Mr John Simon was re-elected as a non-member director. Mr Simon has been the CEO of the national timber wholesaler, Simmonds Lumber Group, as well working in timber research at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa after completing his masters in timber engineering. He has been the managing director of Sterlands, the largest timber frame and truss producer in Australia; CEO of national timber distributor, Pine Solutions Australia; managing director of merchant and retailer, Hudson Building Supplies; and was chairman of the Timber Development Association of NSW for 10 years.
At a subsequent meeting of the FWPA Board, Mr Simon was elected chair of the Board for the next 12 months.
A highlight of the afternoon was the launch of the Mid-rise Demonstration building by Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources.
Attendees’ exploration of the Mid-rise Demonstration building was enhanced by a presentation from Dr Paolo Lavisci, a manager with the WoodSolutions Mid-rise Advisory Program, on “Products and design principles for timber systems in mid-rise buildings”.
This provided an excellent insight into the benefits and applications of the Mid-rise Demonstration building as a teaching tool and a reference for industry members.
